Advanced Review: Rise of the Dungeon Master (Gary Gygax and the Creation of D&D)

Even stuck in the North East of the UK during the early to mid 80’s wasn’t enough of an insulated experience to avoid Dungeons & Dragons and their ilk. With very few stores around, a lot of the focus came from “Fighting Fantasy” books and Diceman, a comic come game book from the publishers of 2000AD. Still, D&D was the high ground, the daddy, the big dog with its almost mystical rules, gameplay and odd-shaped dice only adding to the subtlety and perplexity of the game.

This book is a celebration of everything that is D&D, following its creator Gary Gygax as he meanders through life, working the usual after jobs reserved for those that drop out after their junior year. A culmination of fascinations, from Tom Sayer and Huck Finn, H.G. Wells Little Wars and Robert E. Howard’s Conan The Barbarian are all inherent in D&D although it is the 20 sided die that seals the deal.

Written by David Kushner, the flow of the book follows a dungeon crusade of sorts, albeit without the choices. As such we get to see the ideas behind D&D form, tweaks and changes to the model leading to start of the game playing giant of TSR. Still every quest needs a villain or Tiamat. In this case it could be argued that Dave Arneson fills that character well, or it could be the negative press that D&D received or it could even be that the excesses of the eighties along with the advent of different ways to enjoy similar games all contributed to tarnish the brand.

The art is provided by one of my favourite indie creators and overall great guy, Koren Shadmi. Shadmi’s books include The Abbadon and the excellent Love Addict. In this book, his art is a little less experimental than previously seen. This may be due to that fact there has to be a level of character recognition, after all the book is almost a biography. Regardless, the quality of the art is beyond question, even if that damn Uni makes an appearance.

Nation Books have done a great job with this book; the writing, art and production practically screams quality throughout. A must read if you have ever been a fan of the original D&D or any of the subsequent games that have since been built on its dice rolling, adventure questing foundations.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars

Journalist and author David Kushner, best known for his book Masters of Doom, is adapting his 2008 profile of Gary Gygax into a graphic novel. Called Rise of the Dungeon Master and illustrated by Koren Shadmi, the 144-page book is scheduled for release on May 9

About The Author

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, Green Lanterns and current The Definitive Crusader Jeopardy leader!

Projects by TeamCC

The Society for the Remarkable Suicide is a story of love, redemption, and finding the reason to live for another day. Mature readers only! Get it it now on Drive-Thru Comics!

A new comic in the Celtic Knights Series, focusing on all the female characters from the Celtic Knights Universe. We have the good, the bad and not too sure all making an appearance in this new and exciting book. The ladies are going on a girl’s night out, but can they be trusted to not tear up the town, in all meaning of the word.
Readers will get a new inside to each of our lovely ladies with some happy, some sad and some downright crazy stories as told by the ladies themselves.
This project is open to any female writer or illustrator, from any part of the world, any age and any background.
If you would like to become part of our team DM us / Facebook @girlsknightoutcomic, or feel free to email [email protected]

Check out the indie works of Team CC's own Kevin Given! Support Indie!

It's time to put the book in comic book.
Evil Kat Comix Presents #1 coming 6/20/18.

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